Textile treating method



DeC- l2, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL. 3,357,611

TEXTILE TRETING METHOD Original Fil-ed Aug. 29. 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS.

Emi! Je/yerd'.

A TTORNE YS.

DeC- 12, 1967 E. .1. BRGx-:R ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE THEATTNG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet S:

Appui A TTORNE YS.

E. J. BERGER ETAL. 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATlNG METHOD Dec. l2, 1 967 l5 Sheets-Sheet I;

Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 l l l I I I l l l l I I I I I lll u l n...l I 1 r l: n: I l l l I I I l I l I I..

ma u @n A TTORNE YS Dec. 12, 1967 EJ. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 29, 196070 NOIZLE s avE WA 75N 9/ A ND /v w ,-e wn mr/ INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E. :BERGER ETAL 3,357,511

TEXTILE TRETING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 196C l5 Sheets-Sheet 5mvmofzs. [09 Em//Jer er Q f @Wrd/ as',

A TTORNE YS.

De 12, 1967 EJ. BERGER r-:TAL 3,357,511

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD 15 Sheets-Sheet G Original Filed Au 1 1 1 117111 1111 11 1111/1711111 1111 11 ////////////1 r//r/d Emanm a 1 ..1 /1.//11 /M/// /r//1 /1 1// V/r ///1//M/ ////r/r/ /1//r//j 11/Vf//////////////// 111 11 11 1111111111 1/ 11 11 111111 111111111111111.1111 1.1 111 111.1.1111111 1 11111 1.111. 1 1.1 1 111111111111.111111111 1.1.11*1/ 111 1 11 111 1 111 1 1 1 111 1111/1/111/ 11 11 1111 1 1 1111 1 Dec. l2, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREAMNG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l 15 Sheets-Sheet 74,0 FIG if, l

46 f' am: /N

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 12,1967 E. J. BERGER s-:TAL 3,357,611

TEXT ILE TREAT I NG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet@y 43 FIG. la

INVENTORS. 7x/iz] Jf er A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E.J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet uMMM;

W475i Mw .arf/wx L A TTORNE YS.

Dec. l2, 1967 EJ. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 10ffl/V55 WATER A TTORNE YS.

DCC 12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

` TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet1l Il] STA/f7 z/P warm IFE] zal l0 {Z mmmmuu fl A TTORNE YS.

DCC- l2, 1967 E. .1. BERGER ETAL v3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 1:2

A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www A TTORNE YS.

arde.

- 1 5 sheetsl-Sheet 14 FIG- B0- nr f 5 m m l f v ME J 1.1 N 6 N Ir .zWWWWM u. T anna .0v DL/ 'y l M I 5 il: w n EH 5 m, 3 i H :x Ef i 1 uw aM T w TEXTILE TREATlNG METHOD Dec. 12, 1967 l EJ. BERGER ETAl.

Original Filed Aug. 29, 196C ZTIGEJEL DCC-.12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL3,357,511

TEXTILE 'IE/''llIIGv METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 1 5Sheets-Sheet l5 ll'llllll//lll/ l f f l 1 1 United States Patent()3,357,611 TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Emil I. Berger and Howard K. West,Lansdale, Pa., as-

signors to Turbo Machine Company, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania @riginal application Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 57,098, nowPatent No. 3,131,840, dated May 5, 1964. Divided and this applicationDec. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 345,547

14 Claims. (Cl. 223-76) This invention relates to apparatus and methodsfor treating textiles. More particularly, it is concerned with apparatusand methods for treating textile articles, such as hosiery, sweaters andthe like, knitted from thermoplastic yarn, such as nylon, whilestretched upon fiat profiled shaping forms.

This application comprises a division of our pending patent applicationSer. No. 57,098, filed Aug. 29, 1960, now Patent No. 3,131,840 of May 5,1964, for Textile Treating Apparatus. The said application Ser. No.57,098 is a continuation-impart of our `now abandoned patent applicationSer. No. 830,678, filed July 30, 1959, for Textile Treating Apparatusand Method, the latter application being, in turn, acontinuation-in-part of our abandoned application Ser. No. 779,113,filed Dec. 9, 195S,`

for Textile Treating Apparatus.

In the treatment of textile articles knitted from thermoplastic yarns,many separate process steps are required in order to convert goods inthe greige into finished products ready for sale. With respect to ladieshosiery, for example, between the time that the articles are examined inthe greige and then are paired in their finished condition, they aresubjected to the steps of presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing andfinal setting, all of which involves many separate handlings. With goodsknit from fine denier yarns, such multiple handling subjects them to ahigh risk of irreparable damage such as runs and tears, resulting in ahigh loss factor. While numerous attempts have been made to reduce orcombine a number of the processing steps necessary to convert greigegoods into finished goods, and otherwise reduce the extent to which thearticles are handled, such attempts have not proven to be commerciallysuccessful.

A chief object of this invention is the provision of apparatus wherebythe various process steps necessary for converting knitwear from thegreige into finished articles may be combined in a single machineprocessing cycle involving a minimum of handling of the articles.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of apparatuswhereby the presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing, final setting,rinsing and drying of textile articles may be accomplished in a singlemachine processing cycle in a minimum of time within an autoclave ortreating chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus havingan automatic control system whereby the presetting, dyeing, finishing,final setting, rinsing and drying operations are carried out duringcontrolled, predetermined intervals.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus whereinthe scouring, dyeing, finishing and setting operations may occursimultaneously, or Where one or more of such operations may occursuccessively to one or more of the other such operations within the timeinterval of the machine processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for treatingtextile articles wherein dyeing of the articles may take place at acertain predetermined tempcrature and final setting thereof maythereafter take place at a higher predetermined temperature, and whereinpresetting of the articles may take place either prior to or duringdyeing thereof, all during a single machine processing cycle.

3,357,611 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 ICC A further object of this inventionis to provide apparatus which may be used for carrying out theaforementioned `multi-purpose objectives, and which may also be used aseither a preboarding or a final boarding machine for textile articlesknitted from thermoplastic yarns.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the typeaforementioned wherein finishing and rinsing may occur simultaneously.

A further object of this invention `is to provide a method of treatingtextile articles wherein the article may first be scoured,.dyed and heatset during a definite time interval, and thereafter rinsed during adefinite time interval.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treatingtextile articles wherein the articles may first be dyed at apredetermined temperature and thereafter set by heat at a higherpredetermined `temperature during a single processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treatingtextile articles wherein the articles, `during a single processingcycle, may be preset at a predetermined temperature prior to dyeing andfinal setting.

How the foregoing as well as other important objectives and attendantadvantages of our invention are realized in practice will appear fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereofshown in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of an integrated textiletreating apparatus embodying our in- Vention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary View in end elevation as seen when looking fromthe right of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views from different angles ofthe rear of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the treating chamber taken asindicated by the angled arrows V-V in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the angledarrows VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken as indicated by the angledarrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, taken asindicated by the angled arrows VIII- VIII in FIG. 3 showing storagereservoirs for the various liquids used in treating textiles.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in plan taken as indicated by the angledarrows IX--IX in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective showing one typeof nozzle for spraying textile articles with the treating liquids whilein the treating chamber.

FIGS. l1 and 12 are diagrammatic views, partly in section, of thecontrol valves used in the treating liquid spraying system.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic View of the electric controls for governingthe admission of rinse liquid and air to the rinse reservoir.

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views showing successive stages inthe treatment of textile articles.

FIG. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the various electrically actuatedinstrumentalities by which automatic operation of the apparatus iscontrolled.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional viewtin perspec` FIG. 22 is afragmentary perspective view of a second modification of the treatingchamber with the outside wall partly broken away.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation of thechamber, with the door closed, of said second modification.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view iu side elevation ofthe means of said second modification whereby steam is introducedd-irectly into the dye solution as it travels through the liquidspraying system.

BASIC APPARATUS Basically, the apparatus herein illustrated is generallyof the construction disclosed in E. J. Berger and H. W. Matthews, U.S.Patents Nos. 2,321,452 and 2,736,105, issued June 8, 1943 and Feb. 28,1956, respectively. It includes an upright rectangular treating chamberor autoclave 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a retractable door 2 at the fronthung from suspension trolleys 3 which are constrained to travel back andforth upon track bars 4 extending forwardly from the top of saidchamber. When closed, as in FIGS. 2 and 5, door 2 is held tluid tight byretractable latches 6 against strip packing 5 disposed perimetricallyabout the opening of chamber 1. Through rack and pinion means designated7 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 2 is moved to opened and closed positionsby a reversible electric motor 8 and an associated speed reduction unit9 mounted atop the chamber 1.

Extending longitudinally of the front of chamber 1 beyond the oppositeside walls thereof are aligned stationary tracks 10 and 11 for theguidance, respectively, of collapsible carriages 12 and 13 upon each ofwhich multiple upstanding text-ile forms F are mounted. Supported on theback of the door 2 is a track section 1S (FIGS. 3 and 5) which, when thedoor is fully open, registers with said stationary tracks. The carriages12 and 13 are propelled along the stationary tracks 10 and 11 to andfrom the track section 15 on door 2, when the latter is open, by aconveyor means, similar to that of the aforesaid Patent No. 2,736,105,which includes a rack bar 16 (FIG. l) having teeth in mesh with a spurgear 17 on a transverse shaft 18 suitably journalled in the open baseframe 19 on which the treating chamber 1 is supported. As shown in FIG.2, shaft 18 is driven, through a speed reducer 28, by a reversibleelectric motor 21 mounted within base frame 19.

Ey means similar to that described in the aforesaid Patent No.2,736,105, the carriages 12 and 13 are automatically disconnected fromthe rack bar 1d upon being advanced to position upon the track section15 at the back of the retractable door 2. In the use of the apparatus,textile articles are drawn downwardly over the forms F on one carriagewhen such carriage is expanded and positioned on its stationary trackwhile the other carriage, with its forms loaded, is collapsed andpositioned with-in the chamber 1 for treatment of the articles. Theapparatus is provided with a limit switch 22 (FIG. 1) adapted to beoperated by the carriages 12 and 13, and with door actuabie limitswitches 24 and 25 (FIG. 2), all of which will be referred to againhereinafter. For the purposes of illustration, the forms F on therespective carriages 12 and 13 are adapted for the treatment of ladieshosiery and are arranged in two rows, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Whenthe carriages are collapsed, as shown in FIG. 9, the forms F of one roware staggered with respect to the forms F of the other row.

Supply equipment for the treating liquids The supply equipment for thetreating liquids includes a tank 30 which is subdivided, as shown inFIG. 8, into three compartments 31, 32 and 33 which serve as reservoirs,respectively, for a concentrated dye solution, a dye diluting liquid(which may be water) and a wash or rinse liquid (which likewise may bewater). The dye solution preferably includes a detergent for scouringthe textiles, a

dye and a wax. If desired, the dye solution may also contain a textileiinishing compound whereby the textile articles to be treated in theapparatus may be simultaneously scoured, dyed and finished. By suitableframing, which has been omitted from the drawings, the tank 30 may besupported at the rear of the chamber 1 (FIG. 3) at an elevation above awell 1a in the bottom of said chamber. The dye diluent, which isindicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into reservoir 32through a pipe 34 under control of a solenoid valve 35. A predeterminedquantity of such water is maintained in reservoir 32 by overflow ot' theexcess through an adjustable stand pipe 36 which, at its bottom connectswith a waste pipe 37 leading to drain pipe 53. Similarly, rinse liquid,also indicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into t'hereservoir 33 through a pipe 3S having a hand valve 39 and a check valve40 interposed therein. Connecting into the top of the reservoir 33 is abranch 41 of a pipe 42 which leads from a source of compressed air (notshown), said branch 41 being fitted with a normally closed solenoidvalve 43, a pressure switch 43a and a relief valve 44. An electric probe8() is disposed -in reservoir 33 for a purpose presently to beexplained.

A horizontal conduit 45 is connected, through vertical branches 46 and47, respectively, to the bottoms of reservoirs 32 and 33. Branches 46and 47 have valves 43 and 49, respectively, interposed therein.

Within the reservoir 31, at the top thereof, is a small measuring vesselor metering container 5G. Leading downwardly from vessel 50 andconnecting into branch 46 of the conduit 45 above valve 48 is a tube 51in which a normally closed valve 52 is interposed. The drain pipe 53leads from the bottom of the reservoir 31. Flow through pipe 53 fromtank 31 is prevented by keeping the hand valve 55 closed. Connecting tothe pipe 53 immediately above hand valve 55 is a pipe line 56, 57, 53through which the dye solution is drawn from the reservoir 31 by a pump59 and discharged into the top of the measuring vessel Si), said pump 59being constantly driven by an electric motor 60 during use of theapparatus. Interposcd in the delivery section 58 of the piping is asolenoid valve 61. At certain times during the operation of theapparatus, as hereinafter explained, the valve 61 is closed whereuponthe circulated dye solution is diverted upward through pipe 62 anddischarged directly into the reservoir 31. The

measuring vessel 5G is provided with a vertically adjustable depth gauge63 for regulation oi the amount of dye solution retained therein.

As an alternative, pipe 58 may be connected to the plunger of a solenoid61', as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in a manner to position pipe 58 sothat dye solution normally rs discharged directly into the top ofreservoir 31.. In such arrangement, when the coil of the solenoid 61 isenergized, its plunger is actuated to position pipe 5S over vessel Si)(FIG. 2G) and thus permit dye solution to discharge into the vessel. Thesolenoid 61' is electrically controlled so as to remain energized for aperiod of time sufficient to ensure the filling of vessel 5G with dyesolution. When the coil of solenoid 61 is deenergized, the plungerthereof returns pipe 58 to its normal position (FIG. 19). ln theforegoing arrangement, of course, the distal end of pipe 58 must beshortened suiiciently to clear the top of vessel Si), and vessel 5G maybe formed with a lip 55 to aid in the discharge 0f dye solution intosaid vessel. In such arrangement also, pipe 62 is dispensed with, and aby-pass pipe 62 may be interposed in pipe 57 below pipe 58.

As best seen in FIGS. ll and 12, operating arms 48a and 52a,respectively, of the valves 48 and 52 are coupled for simultaneousactuation by a link 65. Arm 52a is connected to the spring retractedpiston rod 66 of an air cylinder 67 pivotally suspended from a brackett58 (FIG. 8) clamped to the branch conduit 46. Admission of compressedair into the cylinder 67 is controlled by an attached solenoid valve 69which is in communication, through a branch 70, with the air pipe 42.Similarly, the operating arm 49a of the valve 49 is connected to thespring retracted piston rod 75 `of an air cylinder 76 pivotallysuspended from a bracket 77 (FIG. 8) clamped to the branch conduit 47.Admission of compressed air into the cylinder 76 is `controlled by anattached solenoid valve '78 which is in communication, through asub-branch 79 of the branch '70, with the air pipe 42.

Flow of compressed air into the top of the reservoir 33 by way of thebranch pipe 41 is controlled by the electrical system diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 13 comprising a relay-transformer 81, probe S0,pressure switch 43a and solenoid valve 43. The A side ofrelaytransformer 31 is connected to a source of electric power (notshown in FIG. 13) while its B side is connected to probe 80 and groundedat S2. Compressed air is introduced into reservoir 33 for the purpose ofshutting oft flow of rinse liquid from pipe 38 and also to facilitatethe flow of rinse liquid from reservoir 33 through branch 47 when valve49 is open. As will be readily understood, when the air pressure inreservoir 33 exceeds the water pressure in pipe 38 check valve 40 willclose to shut off further flow from pipe 38. In the event the liquidlevel of reservoir 33 should rise so as to contact probe 80, asindicated by the dot-dash line in reservoir 33 in FIG. 13, a circuit iscompleted to the B side of relay-transformer 81 thereby closing therelay thereof. The closing of this relay completes a circuit throughpressure switch 43a to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and therebyadmit compressed air from pipe 41 into reservoir 33. When the airpressure in reservoir 33 reaches a predetermined amount, suicient toshut check valve 40, pressure switch 43a opens to break the circuit tovalve 43 whereupon that valve closes shutting off further flow ofcompressed air to reservoir 33. The relay of relay-transformer 81remains closed so long as the rinse liquid remains in contact with probe80. If, in the meantime, the air pressure in reservoir 33 should drop toa point suicient to cause check valve 40 to open and admit more rinseliquid to the reservoir, pressure switch 43a` will again close tocomplete the circut to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and againadmit compressed air into reservoir 33.

If desired, the textile finishing compound may be mixed with the rinseliquid as it is discharged from reservoir 33, instead of being mixedwith the dye solution. For this purpose, a supply of such finishingcompound may be maintained in a tank 195 (FIG. 8) connected to branch 47by a pipe 196. The amount of nishing compound discharged from tank 195into branch 47 is controlled by a valve 197.

In FIG. 21 there is shown more detailed means for introducing controlledquantities of the finishing cornpound into the rinse liquid. Such meansincludes a venturi 300 connecting pipe 196 to the suction side of pump105 and a bleeder pipe 301 interposed between the discharge side of pump105 and the venturi 300. Interposed in pipe 196 are a check valve 302, aneedle valve 303 and a solenoid valve 304. Solenoid valve 304 isconnected in parallel in the circuit of solenoid valve 49, and thus thetwo valves will operate simultaneously. By suitable adjustment of needlevalve 303, controlled quantities of nishing compound will iiow throughpipe 196 from tank 195 to venturi 300 when solenoid valve 304 is open.As pump 105 discharges rinse liquid through pipe 100, a small quantityof such liquid is hy-passed through bleeder pipe 301 and venturi 300 tothe suction side of pump 105. As a result of the venturi action upon theby-passed liquid, the iinishing compound in pipe 196 is drawn throughthe centuri to the suction side of pump 105 where it is mixed with therinse liquid drawn from reservoir 33.

LIQUID SPRAYING SYSTEM As shown in FIGS. and 6, arranged crosswisewithin the treating chamber 1 at the top thereof are spaced spraymanifolds comprising tubes 85 each of which is provided with a series ofdownwardly directed jet nozzles 6 86. The tubes are closed at one endand are connected at the other end to a supply manifold 87.

Similarly arranged crosswise within the treating chamber 1 at the backthereof, and at a level somewhat .above the bottom of said chamber, is aspray manifold comprising a tube S8 which is provided along both its topand bottom with a series of jet nozzles 39 of the type illustrated inFIG. 10. Tube 88 is closed at one end and is connected at its other endto a downward extension 87a of supply manifold 87. As shown in FIG. 10,each nozzle 89 of tube 88 has an elongated body 90 whereof one end isclosed and the other end is screwed to an elbow 91 that connects intothe tube 88. The nozzle body 90 preferably is disposed in substantiallyparallel relation to the tube 88, and is formed with axial flow bore ain communication with tube 88 through elbow 91. Disposed in the body 90of the nozzle 89 are two axially spaced, elongated, radial spray notches92 in communication with the axial flow bore 90a of the nozzle.

Another spray manifold comprising a tube 95 (FIGS. 3 and 5) also havingnozzles 39 of the type shown in FIG. 10` is mounted on the back of thedoor 2 `at the same level as tube 88. Tube 95 is closed at one end andis connected at its other end to a vertical tube 96 secured to the door2 by straps 97. As best shown in FIG. 5, a fitting 98 at the top of thetube 96 has a protruding nipple which is tapered to engage into thecoznplementally` tapered mouth of a fitting 99 at one end of the supplymanifold 87 to form a fluid tight connection. Thus, liquid is conveyedfrom manifold 87 through ttings 99 and 9S to tube 96 for delivery tonozzles 89 of tube 95.

The sprays from the two opposing banks of nozzles 89 are directed towardthe forms F in the manner indicated by the broken lines in the lowerportion of FIG. 5 and in FIG. 9. The sprays from the nozzles 86 aredirected downward toward the forms F in the manner indicated by thebroken lines in the upper portion of FIG. 5.

Disposed exteriorly of one side wall of the chamber` 1 is a verticalpipe 100 (FIG. 3) which is provided at its upper end with a tting 101from which a horizontal branch pipe 102 extends into the chamber 1 forconnection to the nozzle supply manifold 87 in the top of said chamber.At its lower end, pipe 100 is connected to the discharge end of a rotarypump 105 which, together with its electric driving motor 107, is mountedon a floor base 106. As shown in FIG. 4, the intake end of the pump 105is connected by a pipe 108 to the vertical branch 109 which extends downfrom the well 1a in the bottom of treating chamber 1. A solenoid valve119 is interposed in the pipe 108 between pump 105 and `branch 109.Beyond branch 109, pipe 108 is connected to an exhaust pipe 120 by asolenoid valve 121. The horizontal conduit 45 is connected to pipe 108between pump 105 and valve 119.

The valves 119 and `121` are connected by operating arms 119e and 121a,respectively, to a common link 250 (FIG. 4) which, in turn, is connectedto the spring retracted piston (not shown) of an air cylinder 251.Admission of compressed air from branch 252 of air pipe 42 into cylinder251 is controlled by a normally closed solenoid valve 253. When valve253 is closed, the piston of cylinder 251 is retracted to retract link250 and thereby open valve 121 and close valve 119. When solenoid valve253 is energized, it opens to admit compressed air into cylinder 251 andthus actuate link 250 to close valve 121 and open` valve 119. Thus,valves 119 and 121 operate in tandem,

the one always being open while the other is shut, and 1 l exchanger110, the steam is conducted from the bottom thereof through an exhaustpipe 116, having a trap 117 interposed therein, to drain pipe 176 andthence to the waste manifold 118.

1n the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the treating chamber 1 is shownas having internal steam radiators 165 or equivalent heat exchangermeans `which are arranged vertically along opposite side walls of thechamber and along the back wall thereof on each side of the poppetvalves 127, 128. The radiators 165 are connected at their tops andbottoms by crosswise tubes 166 and 167, as best seen in FIG. 6.Additionally, in this embodiment, a horizontal radiator 170 also isdisposed within the chamber 1 immediately below the roof thereof and isconnected by tubes 171 and 172 to the tops of the radiators 165. Steamis conducted through a pipe 173 and an elbow 175 to the radiator 170from whence it passes through the tubes 171 and 172 to the radiators165. Pipe 173 has a hand valve 174 (FIG. 4) interposed therein and isconnected to main steam line 112 by branch pipe 111. The condensate fromthe radiators 165 is carried off through a pipe 176 connected to one ofthe radiators 165 by an elbow 177. Pipe 176 has a trap 178 (FIG. 3)interposed therein and connects to the waste manifold 118.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is adapted for the simultaneousscouring, dyeing and heat setting of the textile articles. To ensureproper treatment of the textiles, the sprays of the nozzles 86 and 89preferably are directed so that a portion of the liquid being sprayedstrikes the radiators 165 and thus is vaporized. The vaporization of thedye liquid in this manner brings the heat in chamber 1 up to heatsetting temperature, which is determined, of course, by the character ofthe textile articles being treated. If desired, jacket 110 may bedispensed with, in which event the liquids being sprayed would be heatedsolely by the radiators 165, 170.

DRYING FACILITIES As shown in FIG. 5, there are disposed within the backwall of the chamber 1, adjacent the bottom and top thereof, two spacedtubular housings 125 and 126 for poppet valves 127 and 128,respectively. The valves 127 and 128 open inwardly and close against theinner ends of their housings 125 and 126. The stems 129 and 130 of thepoppet valves 127 and 128 are slidingly supported in bearings sustainedby spiders 131 and 132 disposed within the housings 125 and 126,respectively.

The valves 127 and 128 are arranged to be actuated by an air cylinder133 which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 134fulcrumed at 135 to a lug on the housing 126. The other arm of the lever134 extends through a clearance slot 136 in housing 126 and engagesbetween two studs 137 on the stern 130 of the valve 128. The piston rod138 of the cylinder 133 is pivotally connected to one arm of anotherbell crank lever 140 fulcrumed at 141 to a lug on the housing 125. Theother arm of the lever 140 extends through a clearance slot 142 inhousing 125 and engages between two studs 143 on the stem 129 of thevalve 127. Afxed to the side of the cylinder 133 is a solenoid valve 145for controlling admission of compressed air into the top of the cylinderwhen the poppet valves are to be opened and to the bottom of thecylinder when said valves are to be closed, said solenoid valve beingconnected by a branch pipe 146 to the air line 42 (FIG. 4).

Connected to the outer end of the housing 126 is a rotary air blower 150which is arranged to be driven by an electric motor 151 (FIGS. 2, 5). Tothe inner side of the rear wall of chamber 1 is secured an elongated,transversely-extending box-like structure 152 which serves as a shroudabout the poppet valve 128 and which has a longitudinal slit 153 in itsfront wall. As best shown in FIG. 7, the shroud 152 is offset at itsopposite ends to overlap the rear wall portions of the radiators 165.Connected to the outer end of the housing 125 is an air exhaust pipe 154(FIG. 4). When the poppet valves 127 and 128 are open and the blower 150is started, air is forced past the valve 128 and through the slit 153 ofthe shroud 152 toward the forms F. The air is diffused upwardly aboutthe forms F to absorb moisture from the textile articles thereon andfinally escapes through the open poppet valve 127 to exhaust pipe 154.

Before reaching the blower 150, the air is drawn through a verticalcasing 155 (FIG. 4) attached to the exterior of one side wall of thetreating chamber 1 adjacent the back thereof. The casing 155 has an airinlet opening 156 adjacent the top thereof. Extending down through thecasing 155 are nned tubes 157 which, at their upper ends, are connectedto the steam supply pipe 112 and which, at their lower ends, areconnected to a steam exhaust pipe 160 having a trap 161 interposedtherein. Thus, by the means just described, the air is heated beforebeing introduced by the blower 150 into the treating chamber 1.

While heated air is the preferred drying medium used in the practice ofthis invention, any equivalent gaseous drying media, includingsuperheated steam, may be utilized.

START UP The commencement of the operative cycle of the apparatus isillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 14. With reservior 32 and vessel 50properly lled, valves 35, 5S, 61 and 121 are closed and valves 43, 52and 119 are opened whereby the dye solution in vessel 50 passes throughtube 51 into branch 46 where it is mixed with dye diluent from reservoir32. The resulting dye mixture passes through valve 48, conduit 45, pipe108, branch 109 to the well 1a in the bottom of chamber 1.

At the same time, valves 113, 114, 115 and 174 in the steam supplyllines 112, 111 and l173 are opened, permitting steam to pass throughthe heat exchanger jacket 10, through the radiators and 170 in chamber 1and through the air heating tubes 157. Since valve 61 is closed, pump 59draws dye solution from the bottom of reservoir 31 and circulates itthrough pipes 56, 57 and 62 directly to the top of reservoir 31.

DYE CYCLE The dye cycle of the apparatus is diagrammatically illustratedin FIG. l5. After the predetermined quantities of dye solution and dyediluent have been delivered to well 1a, valves 48 and 52 are closed,shutting off further flow of these liquids. Valve 61 is opened to permitresumption of delivery of dye solution to vessel 50 by pump 59 and valve35 is opened to permit resumption of flow diluent to reservoir 32.

Following the closing of valves 48 and 52, the pump 105 is started. Themixture of dye solution and dye diluent is then circulated by pump 105from well 1a through branch 109, pipe 108, pump 105, pipe 100, branchpipe 102 to the nozzles `86 and 89 via their respective manifolds Iandsupporting tubes. The dye mixture sprayed by the nozzles on the textilearticles mounted on the forms F drains to the well 1a, from whence it isrecirculated by pump 105, in a closed system, during a time intervalsuicient for the proper setting, scouring and dyeing of the articles.

By reason of steam passing through the jacket 110 and the radiators 165and 170, a portion of the dye mixture is vaporized, thereby bringing thechamber 1 up to setting temperature. In treating ladies nylon hoisery,the temperature in the chamber 1 for proper simultaneous setting,scouring and dyeing preferably should be on the order of 230 F. for adye cycle of two minutes duration. This temperature range is achieved inpractice when the steam passing into pipe 173 is under approximately 100lpounds pressure and at a temperature of approximately 300 F.

Following the lapse of the time interval required for proper setting,scouring and dyeing, valve 121 is opened and the -dye mixture is carriedolf through exhaust pipe 120. The cycle is now completed.

RINSE CYCLE The rinse cycle of the apparatus takes place next, and isdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 16. At the completion of the dyecycle, when valve 121 is opened, valve 119 is closed and valve 49 alsoopens.

Upon the opening of valve 49, pump 105 draws rinse liquid from tank 33through branch 47, conduit 45 and pipe 108 and pumps the rinse liquidthrough pipe 100 and pipe 102 to the nozzles 86 and 89 where it issprayed on the textiles mounted on the forms F. The rinse liquid drainsto well 1a and immediately is exhausted from the chamber 1 throughbranch 109 and exhaust pipe 120. Valve 121 remains open during rinsing.

Rinse liquid is pumped to the nozzles 86 and 89 for a predeterminedperiod of time. During the rinse operation, the discharge of rinseliquid into branch 47 causes the air pressure to drop in reservoir 33,thus permitting check valve 40 to open for resumption of flow of rinseliquid from pipe 38.

Followingy the lapse of the predetermined time interval, suflicient toensure thorough rinsing of the textile articles, valve 49 is closed andthe operation of pump 105 ceases. After the remaining rinse liquid isdrained from the well 1a, valve 121 is closed.

Following the rinse cycle, the drying cycle takes place with the passageof heated air through the cham-ber 1 in the manner previously described.After a predetermined time interval, the drying cycle is completed, thedoor 2 opens and the forms F are delivered to their correspondingstationary track for removal of the finished articles. It is to be notedthat both rinsing and drying take place at atmospheric pressure.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MEANS An electrical system for automaticallycontrolling the operation of the apparatus is illustrateddiagrammatically in FIG. 17. Power is supplied to the system by mainlines 225 having a transformer 226 interposed therein. Transformer 226is electrically connected 'to the control system through a startingrelay 220.

In describing the operation of the electrical system, it will be assumedthat the empty forms F of carriage 13 are positioned on track 11, to theright of the apparatus, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Door 2 isopen with the forms F of carriage 12 positioned on the track section 15thereof.

Operation of the apparatus is commenced upon the closing of main switch200 which completes a circuit through relay 221 to the motor 60 of thedye circulating pump 59. Pump 59 commences circulation of dye solutionfrom the bottom of reservoir 31 through pipes 56, 57 and 58 to themetering Vessel 50.

Next, starting switch 201 is closed to complete a circuit to thestarting relay 220 which thereupon closes. Relay 220 remains closedthroughout the operation of the apparatus. The closing of relay 220completes a circuit through temperature switch 219 to steam solenoidvalve 114 and thereby opens that valve. With the hand valves also open,steam passes through supply main 112 and pipes 111 and 173 to the heatexchanger jacket 110, radiators 165 and 170 and air heating tubes 157.

The closing of relay 220 also completes several other circuits. Acircuit is completed through a contact of dye timer 207 to solenoidvalve 253 to open that valve. As a result, compressed air is admitted tocylinder 251 to actuate the piston rod thereof and link 250 to openvalve 119 and close valve 121 simultaneously. A circuit also iscompleted through a contact of relay 217 and through time delay 203 tosolenoid valves 35 and 61. After a predetermined period of time,suicient to ensure the filling of dye diluent tank 32 and dye solutionvessel 50, valves 35 and 61 are closed by time delay relay 203, therebyshutting otl flow of dye solution to vessel 50 and ow of dye diluent toreservoir 32. At the moment that time delay relay 203 closes valves 35and `61, it completes a circuit to the coil of relay 217, whereuponrelay 217 closes. The closing of rel-ay 217 completes a circuit throughtime delay relay 202 to solenoid valve 69 whereby valve 69 is opened topermit passage of compressed air into the cylinder 67. The entry ofcompressed air into cylinder 67, as shown in FIG. 1l, depresses pistonrod 66 to open dye diluent supply valve 48 and dye solution supply valve52 and permit these liquids to disch-arge to chamber well 1a.

Valves 4S and 52 remain open for a predetermined period of time underthe control of time delay relay 202 after which they are closed.Meanwhile, valves 35 and 61 remain closed for a predetermined period oftime under the control of time delay relay 203 following which they areopened. Valves 35 and 61 do not open until after valves 48 and 52 havebeen closed.

The forms F of carriage 13 now are loaded with the textile articleswhich are to be treated. Following loading, switch 204 is pressed tocomplete a circuit through rel-ay 205 to conveyor motor 21 whichoperates to move carriage 13 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, ontotrack section 15 of door 2. At the same time, the forms F of carriage 12are moved from track section 15 onto stationary track 10. The closing ofswitch 2.04 also completes a circuit to relay 223 which thereuponcloses.

As the loaded forms F of carriage 13 move onto track section 15, they-actuate track limit switch 22 to open the circuit to motor 21, therebyhalting the carriage 13, in its collapsed condition, on track section15. The actuation of limit switch 22 closes a circuit through relays 223and 206 to door motor 8 whereupon that motor operates to close door 2through the interposition of rack and gear 7.

When door 2 closes, it actuates switch 25 to open the circuit to motor 8and stop that motor. The actuation of switch 25 sets up an open circuitthrough temperature switch 219 and relays 240 and 241 to the motor M ofthe dye timer 207. Following the closing of door 2, the temperature inchamber 1 rises rapidly. When this temperature rise reaches apredetermined point, sutlicient for proper setting, scouring and dyeingof the textile articles, temperature switch 219 is actuated to open thecircuit to solenoid valve 114, thus closing that valve to shut oirfurther How of steam. The actuation of switch 219 also energizes thecircuit through relays 240 and 241 to the motor M of dye timer 207 tostart that motor and thus commence the dye cycle. Should the temperaturein chamber 1 drop to a predetermined low point, switch 219 is thereuponactuated to close the circuit to solenoid valve 114 to open that valveand again admit steam to the radiators 165 and 170 and the jacket 110.The actuation of switch 219, as a result of the temperature drop inchamber 1, deenergizes and hence opens relay 240. Because of relay 241,however, a circuit to the motor M of the dye timer is maintained, andthus the dye cycle is not interrupted.

In addition to the foregoing, the actuation of switch 25 by door 2completes a circuit through a contact of rinse timer 209 and relay 208to the nozzle pump motor 107 to start pump 105. With valves 48 and 52now closed (by time delay relay 202), pump continuously circulates themixture of dye solution and dye diluent from Well 1a to the nozzles 86and 89.

The closing of switch 25 also completes a circuit to time delay relay203 which opens valves 35 and 61 to resupply dye diluent to reservoir 32and dye solution to vessel 50, in the manner diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 15.

Upon termination of the dye cycle, timer 207 opens the circuit tosolenoid valve 253 to close that valve and thereby open exhaust valve121 and simultaneously close nozzle pump valve 119. At the same time,timer 207

1. IN A METHOD FOR SETTING AND FINISHING TUBULAR TEXTILE ARTICLESCOMPOSED OF HEAT-SETTABLE YARN THE STEPS OF MOUNTING THE ARTICLES UPONSHAPING FORMS, ENCLOSING THE MOUNTED ARTICLES IN A SEALED CHAMBER AND,BEFORE OPENING SAID CHAMBER TO REMOVE SAID MOUNTE D ARTICLES THEREFROM,PERFORMING THE TREATMENT OF SPRAYING THE ARTICLES WITH DYE LIQUID WHILEMAINTAINING THE INTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBER AT A PREDETERMINED ELEVATEDTEMPERATURE, THEN TERMINATING SPRAYING AND THEREAFTER INTRODUCING STEAMAT A PREDETERMINED HIGHGER TEMPERATURE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME
 11. INTEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A TREATIG CHAMBER FORDYEING HOSIERY OR THE LIKE THE METHOD OF DISPENSING MEASURED QUANTITIESOF LIQUID DYE INTO A MIXING FLUID LINE COMPRISING PUMPING LIQUID DYEFROM A RESERVOIR INTO A METERING CONTAINER OF LESS CAPACITY THAN THEMETERING CONTAINER TO THE RESERVOIR, AFTER THE METERING CONTAINER IS FLLISOLATING THE METERING CONTAINER FROM THE RESERVOIR AND CONCURRENTLYDISCHARGING THE MEASURED QUANTITY OF LIQUID DYE FROM ONE END OF THEMETERING CONTAINER INTO A MIXING FLUID LINE FOR DISCHARGE OF THERESULTING MIXTURE INTO THE TREATING CHAMBER TO DYE THE HOSIERY THEREIN.